With this easy method you’ll end up with Perfect Hard Boiled Eggs every time! 15 minutes and one pot is all you need. Try them on a salad, in a sandwich or all by themselves with a sprinkle of salt & pepper.
Sometimes the things that seem the most simple can be a pain in the butt! If you’ve never tried a hard boiled egg, have never made one, or just want some tips on how to perfect them, this one is for you!
Let’s go back to basics. Simply put, a hard boiled egg is typically a chicken egg immersed in boiling water, cooked until the white and yolk of the egg become solid. They’re great for deviled eggs, egg salad, or just eating as is with a sprinkle of salt and pepper!
How to boil eggs
All you need are some eggs, water and a saucepan! No fuss, no muss. Keep scrolling down to the recipe card for full ingredient amounts and instructions, or click the Jump To Recipe button at the top.
- Prep – Place cold eggs in a large saucepan in a single layer. Fill the saucepan with cold water at least 1 inch over top of the eggs.
- Cook – Cover the saucepan with a lid and bring to a boil.
- Rest – Remove the saucepan from heat and let the eggs sit in water for 15 minutes.
- Cool, Peel and Serve – Drain and run cold water over the eggs to cool them. Peel and serve.
Why are my eggs cracking?
- Don’t over crowd your pan – They may be cracking because you don’t have enough room in your saucepan! Your eggs need some room, they should not touch or be on top of each other. There needs to be enough room to allow a single layer of eggs in your pan while they cook.
- Don’t use FRESH (straight from the chicken) eggs – Freshly laid eggs tend to cause the shell to stick to them more. If you have your own chickens, quails, ducks etc. it’s best to use those eggs for other dishes! If you’re buying your eggs from the grocery store, you should have no problem!
- Egg size – If you are using extra large eggs, allow the eggs to stand in the boiling water for a few extra minutes and again, make sure to give them room in your pan!
How to easily peel eggs
Proteins are very sticky! When the egg white cooks, it can bind to the membrane and the shell causing it to “stick”.
Use the tips below to peel your hard boiled eggs with ease!
One of the most troublesome problems people experience when making hard boiled eggs is PEELING them! This has taken me a few times to perfect, but with trial and error I think I have finally got it down pat.
- First, make sure your eggs are completely cooled! This will allow the egg to detach itself from the shell easily – you can even pop them in the fridge to aid in the peeling process.
- Gently tap the egg while simultaneously spinning it in a complete 360° circle – making sure all sides are cracked.
- Now you can start peeling! Gently take the shell off by using the side of your fingers and peeling slowly. Take your time and lift the shell ever so slightly, it should peel off effortlessly!
What’s the difference between hard and soft boiled eggs
A hard boiled egg has a longer cook time and is cooked until the white and yolk of the egg become solid. Whereas soft boiled eggs, cook for a shorter amount of time and as the name suggests have a softer consistency which leaves the yolk, and sometimes the white, at least partially liquid and raw. Soft boiled eggs are commonly used in ramen or can be served on their own with toast to dunk!
How to serve
I love hard boiled eggs because they are so easy to make and extremely versatile! They are fantastic on their own, sprinkled with a little salt and pepper but if you are feeling uninspired and want to be more creative with your eggs, try some of these great options.
- Chopped into a breakfast burrito
- Breakfast sandwiches
- Served on top of a salad – my favourite is cobb salad!
- With veggies
- On wilted greens – try spinach, kale or swiss chard
- The classic egg salad sandwich
- Deviled Eggs
- Atop a pizza
- In a potato salad
- On top of avocado toast
- Pickled eggs
- Blended into a homemade salad dressing
- In a grilled cheese
Leftovers
Store your hard boiled eggs, peeled or unpeeled, in the fridge for up to a week! Use your leftover eggs to prepare a variety of different meals for the rest of the week (see above) or you can take them as a snack with you when you’re on the run – just grab and go!
Did You Like This Recipe? Try These!
- Deviled Eggs
- Breakfast Egg Muffins
- Deviled Egg Macaroni Salad
- Breakfast Burritos
- Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs
- Easy Potato Salad
- Easy Egg Salad
Craving More? Follow Along:
Perfect Hard Boiled Eggs
Equipment
Ingredients
- 8 large eggs
- water
Instructions
- Prep – Place cold eggs in a large saucepan in a single layer. Fill the saucepan with cold water at least 1 inch over top of the eggs.
- Cook – Cover the saucepan with a lid and bring to a boil.
- Rest – Remove the saucepan from heat and let the eggs sit in water for 15 minutes.
- Cool, Peel and Serve – Drain and run cold water over the eggs to cool them. Peel and serve.
Tips & Notes:
- If using extra large eggs, allow the eggs to stand in the boiling water a few extra minutes.
- Store your hard boiled eggs, peeled or unpeeled, in the fridge for up to a week! Use your leftover eggs to prepare a variety of different meals for the rest of the week (see above) or you can take them as a snack with you when you’re on the run – just grab and go!
When cracking the shell to peel I use a sharp “tap” on the “fat end” of the cooled egg. There is an air pocket on that end that when struck forces air up inside the she making peeling much easier.
That’s a great tip. Thanks Tom for sharing!